Other conditions decisions — 2000

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the appellant had not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for VA benefits, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye pterygium does not cause a compensable loss of vision, and thus denies an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral nuclear sclerosing cataracts and posterior subcapsular cataracts are service-connected as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his status post left lateral meniscectomy, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected cyclothymic disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it only causes mild social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of her surgeries and scheduling a VA medical examination to assess the current condition of her right foot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lipoma resection and resulting spinal cord damage are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the hands is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, concluding that it did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition and dizziness based on exposure to ionizing radiation are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peptic ulcer disease warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is higher than his current 10 percent rating. The evidence shows moderate disability with recurring episodes of severe symptoms two to three times a year averaging 10 days in duration.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment in her VA death pension benefits, finding that there was substantial fault on her part and no fault on VA's. The decision also noted that collection would not cause undue hardship to the appellant.

The veteran's unauthorized private inpatient hospitalization for acute cholecystitis was not due to an emergency, and therefore reimbursement is denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment of his service-connected duodenal ulcer and related conditions are granted from January 21 to February 13, 1998. The costs incurred before that date are denied due to the availability of VA facilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for muscle pain, generalized joint pain, and fatigue as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness due to lack of evidence supporting such a claim.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative herniated intervertebral disc, T8-9 and residuals of thoracic spine injury with kyphosis (compression fracture) and assigned a 50 percent evaluation effective from October 13, 1989.

The VA determined that the veteran's leukopenia, thrombocytopenia with history of myelodysplastic syndrome did not meet criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected urticaria is manifested by intermittent itching involving an exposed surface and warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits in the amount of $793.50, finding that the veteran's continued acceptance of full benefits during his incarceration contributed to causing the debt and that repayment would not result in undue financial hardship.